Aprilia Moto Guzzi - Paid over R4k for parts that haven't arrived 6 months later

Hello Peter,

Peter this is the first time I’m complaining to you. I wish I didn’t have to. But in October last year I ordered parts for my Aprilia motorbike from Aprilia Moto Guzzi Cape Town. I immediately paid them the R4072 they quoted me and I was promised delivery within 3 weeks.

A month later, after not getting any news from them, I mailed them again, and requested a delivery note or tracking number, or any evidence that the order had indeed been placed. I have to date not seen any proof that this order was placed or that the supplier had been paid.

At the end of December, after numerous emails to them, I was told that the parts were indeed shipped from Italy, but were turned back when they got to France because there was a mistake made by the courier - the payment had been “misallocated”. I was told “not to worry”, it was a “silly mistake” that would soon be corrected.

It’s now 6 months since I paid for my order and they still refuse to show me documentation or proof of payment to supplier.

I was then told in February that “the factory in Italy didn’t have stock at the time of order, so no parts could have been packaged and sent to us. As soon as the factory receives their stock, they can then package and send to us, which takes around 6 weeks.” And “All we can do is wait, as you have paid us, and we have paid Italy.” So no refund. And no parts.

It’s now 6 months later and after begging them for any proof of payment of the order being placed or paid for, and the agent refuses to supply any proof, nor answer my numerous mails - including the final mail when I told them I was going to escalate the matter and write to Hello Peter. That was over a month ago, and I have not heard a word from them.

I especially went directly through the sole Aprilia agents in SA thinking they have a good relationship with the Factory, and a loyalty to Aprilia owners. Seems like I was wrong on both accounts.